PhD in Environmental Sciences at ETH Zürich (Switzerland)

Key details

• Host institution: ETH Zürich
• Location: ETH Zürich, Rämistrasse 101, Zurich, Switzerland
• Application deadline: June 28, 2026

Funding

Not funded by a EU programme

Funding level (from listing): partial or not via EU framework — confirm on the official call.

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

Job Offer: Doctoral Student in Forest Management Effects on Water Quality

Institution: ETH Zürich

Position Overview

The doctoral student will be hosted between the WaldLab Ecohydrology and Silviculture groups. The WaldLab Ecohydrology group is part of the Chair of Hydrology and River System Science at the ETH Zurich Institute of Environmental Engineering, with expertise in water chemistry assessments in forested ecosystems. The Silviculture group is part of the Chair of Forest Resources Management at the ETH Zurich Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, with expertise in silviculture and forest management. We seek a reliable, enthusiastic, and highly motivated doctoral student with a passion for interdisciplinary science to join our team.

Project Background

This position is part of the project “Forest Management and Drinking Water Security under Climate Change,” supported by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. The project examines the critical link between forest ecosystem management and health and the quality of drinking water across Switzerland. As climate change intensifies disturbances such as droughts, windthrows, and pest outbreaks, understanding how forest structure and management influence water quality is essential. The project integrates national-scale data analysis, water quality monitoring of spring networks, and detailed mechanistic insights into subsurface flow routing and transit times across Switzerland and experimental sites. It is closely aligned with forest and drinking water stakeholders and decision-making authorities. Therefore, a solid understanding of Central European and Swiss forest ecosystems, including species composition, development stages, and silvicultural practices, is essential. The project will be conducted in a collaborative environment between the two research groups, offering extensive technical support and interdisciplinary expertise in ecohydrology and forest management.

Job Description

The doctoral project focuses on assessing the resilience of Swiss drinking water resources to forest changes and management interventions. As the successful candidate, your responsibilities will include:

• National-Scale Data Integration: Analyzing gradients in forest cover and structure (e.g., tree species mixtures, density) in relation to long-term drinking water parameters, accounting for hydrogeology and land-use history.
• Field Monitoring & Sampling: Conducting water quality assessments across Swiss-wide spring networks to identify how management practices influence resilience during event-driven disturbances.
• Mechanistic Investigations: Monitoring intensively instrumented experimental sites to determine how forest health and structure alter subsurface flow routing and contamination pulses.
• Synthesis & Strategy Development: Developing and evaluating suitable management strategies to reduce drinking water risks.
• Stakeholder Communication: Performing statistical analyses and modeling to translate findings into actionable management recommendations for water abstractions.

The full-time position is funded for four years. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.

Profile

Upon starting, you must have completed a Master’s degree in hydrology, environmental sciences, forest sciences, ecology, or a closely related field, with experience in water chemistry, silviculture, experimental field work, and large-scale data analysis. You must have good statistical skills and programming experience (e.g., in R or Python). Excellent written and spoken English, as well as a driver’s license, are mandatory. For this project, we consider German and other Swiss national languages an asset. Good writing skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment are expected.

We Offer

• An inspiring, international, and interdisciplinary work environment in a world-leading research institute.
• Opportunities to collaborate with practitioners and federal/cantonal offices.
• Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences.
• A supportive environment for developing your scientific career.
• Participation in and shaping a dynamic research team with supportive colleagues, fostering collaboration and mutual learning.
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society. You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability. In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Application

Curious? So are we. We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Letter of motivation (max. two pages).
• CV.
• Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates with complete transcripts.
• List of publications (if available).
• Contact information of two referees.

For further information about the WaldLab Ecohydrology and the Silviculture groups, please visit the respective websites. Questions regarding the positions should be directed to Dr. Marius Floriancic and Dr. Mathieu Lévesque by email: [email protected] and [email protected].

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. The envisioned starting date is 1 July 2026. We will start interviewing candidates in May 2026.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.